Painting the Beauty of the World in Watercolor

Painting the Beauty of the World in Watercolor

Recently, my work has been about building the “muscle” for daily painting. I have returned to creating small watercolor pieces in order to paint as many beautiful things in the world as possible. My recent mission is to capture beauty at a glance, often within just 15 minutes.

This kind of practice helps me create watercolor paintings that are clearer, more transparent, and filled with light. As I continue this training, I can feel myself improving. Areas that once felt blocked begin to open naturally. Along with that breakthrough comes a deep sense of fulfillment, and the paintings themselves become softer, brighter, and more effortless.

I focus on the natural brilliance of color itself and try to respect the organic flow and blooming that watercolor creates. When this balance is achieved, watercolor no longer becomes muddy. Acrylic and oil painting each have their own strengths, but watercolor possesses something uniquely beautiful — freedom, the poetry of flowing color, and the space that allows those beautiful accidents to happen.

When transparent layers of color overlap to create new colors, the luminosity becomes extraordinary. Sometimes I wonder if there is any medium that can express light as beautifully as watercolor. This light is not artificially scratched onto the surface with a brush; it is an unexpected gift naturally created by pigment, water, and paper together.

Working with watercolor also reduces the exhaustion of painting. I simply allow the water and pigments to do their work for me. The water continuously creates marbling effects, gently blending colors and settling them softly into the paper. When the pigments are absorbed well, they shine like morning sunlight. Seeing such paintings brings me immense joy.

For now, I want to continue painting the beauty of the world through watercolor. I want to capture as much beauty as I possibly can. I feel excited wondering what kind of art lovers I may meet through this journey. Just as people discovered and cherished my earlier works, I believe there will once again be those who recognize these paintings and welcome them into their spaces.

As artists, we often develop a desire to paint larger works. Large paintings carry a powerful presence. They feel grand, impressive, and somehow more professional. They are also better suited for competitions and exhibitions. In reality, painting these small studies may not directly advance my career in any dramatic way. But my goal this year is simple: to paint as much as possible.
​
Without limitation, I want to continue capturing the beauty of the world.